Ashington is undergoing a £36 million regeneration project, including a new cinema and improved town access, set to complete by Summer 2025.
Ashington: It used to be a busy coal-mining town. After the pits closed, it faced tough times.
Now, Ashington is one of the most deprived towns in Northumberland. But there’s hope! A £36 million regeneration program is in the works, along with a £300 million new railway.
Plans include a new cinema, redeveloping Wansbeck Square, and better pedestrian access between the town center and the new high street.
Work will start in February around Lintonville Terrace and Woodhorn Road. The goal is to make these areas safer and more welcoming.
By early Summer 2025, expect new street lighting, signage, and pathways. Green spaces will also be added to vacant lots.
In February, work will kick off on the vacant plot, followed by highway improvements later that month.
Improvements to the Memorial Garden next to Wansbeck Square will also begin soon. This will enhance the area for remembrance activities and as a green space.
These upgrades follow other major investments in Ashington, like the Portland Park Cinema and the reopening of the Northumberland Line, which saw over 50,000 passengers in its first month.
Portland Park’s cinema project is moving forward with a full planning application submitted. REEL Cinemas will help boost leisure and retail options in town.
Demolition of Wansbeck Square is progressing well. Scaffolding is being set up to safely take down buildings while minimizing disruption to nearby shops and the railway.
This site will become a new cultural and community hub, creating a welcoming link between the town center and the new railway station.
With the Northumberland Line now open, pedestrian access to the railway station is via Kenilworth Road, with recent improvements for walkers.
